Gamora cheerfully pocketed potion. "Helps a lot."
After picking rooms, ignored excited chatter, headed straight to third-floor bedroom.
Deep night. Stared at four moons outside, missing Earth more than ever.
Barely asleep when distant explosion jolted awake. No time tidy—threw on coat, ran downstairs.
Guardians already at door with weapons. Sealed entrance trapped them. Peered warily through silk curtain.
"What happened?" Asked.
Star-Lord charged gun with click. "Not sure. Looks like Ravagers. My bounty's high with them."
Pushed through crowd, tapped door with wand. Walked straight out.
"Hey! What doing?!" Star-Lord shouted, reaching to pull back.
Dodged hand. "Come out. Cast spells around here. They can't see us. Fighting Ego."
Gamora carefully stepped outside, watching distant battle ablaze. "Why fight here?"
"No idea. First time in space." Frowned.
Star-Lord holstered gun, swaggered out. "Probably both wanted catch me. Couldn't find me, fought each other."
"Can we see what's happening?" Gamora glanced dismissively at Star-Lord, turned.
Touched bracelet. Jade Emperor gave disposable water mirror talismans. Should work?
After searching, pulled yellow paper marked red cinnabar runes. Following instructions, held between fingers, channeled magic, pointed toward battle. "Go!"
Talisman shot away as streak. Transfigured stone into basin, filled with Aguamenti, stood silently.
Soon water rose, forming screen. Images and sounds appeared. Everyone gathered.
In mirror, bizarre aliens surrounded man with Mantis—Ego.
Ego stood smiling. Attacks didn't ruffle clothes.
"Yondu! We're friends, right? Remember cooperation? Why attack now?" Ego spread arms, watching blue figure shooting.
Yondu emptied weapon, swapped power cell. "Shut up! Ego, thanks to you, permanently banned from Ravagers! Compared to you, I'm noble!"
Ego laughed. "Don't be like that, friend. You broke deal—haven't confronted you. Supposed bring my Earth child. Why didn't you? Where's Ravager honor?"
Yondu furiously pulled red arrow. "Hell with honor! Who knew you'd kill your own kids! Once learned, never give another! Even banned, still honorable Ravager! Correcting my mistake!"
New attacks began.
Everyone gaped. "So really wanted kill you, Star-Lord! Actually your father?!" Rocket commented.
Star-Lord froze. So Yondu kept him not just thieving, but saving life?
"Problem—Ego's unaffected. Blue guy's done for." Stated obvious.
Star-Lord silent, then eyes hardened. "Have plan."
Two months later, expertly piloted ship toward nearest jump point. Set autopilot, left seat.
"Seriously, still not sick of each other?!" Eyes burning at Star-Lord and Gamora kissing.
Startled pair separated. Gamora punched Star-Lord flying. Vanished instantly.
"Ahem, where are we? Learned fast!" Deep green flush on cheeks.
Studied thoughtfully. Must be blushing.
"Reached Proxima system outer edge. About 3 hours to jump point."
Gamora checked console, confirmed settings correct. "Still need 49 jumps to Earth. Finally halfway. Should thank you for saving Yondu. Otherwise Star-Lord miserable."
Smiled. "No, should thank you taking me home."
Shrugged. "You paid. Customer first."
"Groot! Put down game console!" Rocket chased equally-tall tree person through.
"I am Groot!" Contemptuous tone. Spat to side.
"Groot! No swearing!" Gamora stern. "No spitting! Rebellious phase?!"
Groot angrily smashed console, stormed off.
Gamora sighed helplessly. "Who's he learning from?! How Earth handle rebellious kids?"
Smiled. "Usually beat them. Once doesn't work, beat more. Until learn."
Gamora thoughtfully stroked chin. "Really?"
Rocket looked horrified. "Serious?!"
Blinked. "Course. Considering feasibility."
Seeing Rocket's horror, laughed. "Don't worry, won't break him!"
"No! Look!" Rocket pointed behind, screamed, rushed pilot seat.
Turned. Faces changed. Black hole appeared in path. Ship heading straight for it.
No time explain. Both rushed seats. Gamora notified everyone buckle up, helped Rocket fight pull.
By time Star-Lord and others reached cockpit, too late. Completely sucked in.
Only Gamora, Gemini, Rocket sat properly, just dizzy. Everyone else thrown around, bruised.
After who knows how long, everyone lost consciousness.
Regained awareness. Instinctively raised hand blocking light.
Struggled with seatbelt, stood unsteadily, holding spinning head. "Anyone awake?!"
Groan sounded. Shook head, looked over. Gamora, also in seat.
Once conscious, quickly found scattered companions. Pulled potions treating injuries, looked outside.
Garbage mountains everywhere. Ship landed on peak. Tall building faintly visible.
After Rocket confirmed air and radiation quality, put on masks, descended, staring amazed.
"Where is this?" Asked blankly. First time space. Never seen garbage planet.
Star-Lord walked down with star map device. "Map's broken. Needs parts. Can't confirm position."
"Building in distance. Means people. Can check." Drax lowered binoculars, said dully.
Rocket inspected ship. "Ship's fine. Can fly. Really lucky! Hit wormhole, came out intact!"
Gamora headed back. "What waiting for? Hurry. Air quality terrible!"
Ship wobbled on mountain, lifted smoothly, blew off hilltop, flew toward building.
Indeed people there, though chaotic. Rocket and Star-Lord thrived. Quickly found connections, fixed map.
"By way, this is Sakaar. Ruler's Grandmaster. Has arena—show tonight. Got tickets. Want go?" Star-Lord waved electronic tickets.
Gamora interested. After discussion, decided go. Rocket found betting, bet on champion. Wagered entire stash.
Followed everyone into noisy arena—Roman-style colosseum. Circular field, tiered seating.
Star-Lord's tickets front row. He and Drax pushed through crowd to seats.
Cheers filled arena. Regretted coming. Too barbaric.
Soon Grandmaster's hologram appeared, addressing everyone. Cheers grew.
After announced match start, hologram vanished. Doors opened.
Rubbed eyes. What seeing?! Hulk?!
Snatched Drax's binoculars, stared at green figure. That build, expression! No mistake! Really Hulk!
Noticing reaction, Gamora asked quietly, "What's wrong? Someone know?"
Nodded heavily. "My shop employee. Got caught spatial turbulence. Never thought here."
Gamora watched match begin, covered head. "Guys, think might be on run again."
Brutal match excited bloodlust. Naturally Hulk won. Too chaotic—Hulk didn't notice nearby.
Watching Hulk led away, grew anxious. About draw wand, rush over when Gamora pressed shoulder. "Don't rush. First gather intel. Don't rescue no one, get everyone captured."
Took deep breath, forced calm.
Back ship, Rocket cheerfully sorted winnings. Bet right, won big.
"Meeting champion's easy. Taking away hard." Star-Lord gathered info. Everyone discussed. Decided meet first.
Connected with bounty hunter—drunk woman. Offered jar Heavenly Court wine. Valkyrie readily arranged. Knew Hulk.
Following Valkyrie into Grandmaster's building, passing checkpoints, finally met Hulk.
Pulled another jar for Valkyrie. "Like talk with Hulk. How about?"
Valkyrie weighed jar, satisfied, left. Called guards share drink.
Looked at Hulk by window, removed mask. "Hulk?"
Whirled around, eyes wide. "Gemini?! Gemini come take us home?!"
Confirming really Hulk, smiled. "Yes. Came take you home."
Hulk jumped around excitedly. "Hulk going home! Hulk miss Newt! Hulk miss Hagrid! Hulk want home! Hulk let Banner talk!"
Then closed eyes. Form shrank. Banner appeared in tattered shorts.
Rocket whistled. "Cool! Transforms!"
Next second Gamora pinched mouth. "Quiet. Or might turn you toad."
"Gemini!" Banner rushed forward delighted. After two steps realized not dressed. Stood awkwardly, turning find something cover.
Smiled, handed clothes. "Wear these, Banner. Gift from Heavenly Court. This one's yours."
Banner smiled, took clothes. "Thought longer before saw you. Been saving from Hulk's matches. Almost enough for ship."
Changed behind screen, emerged. "These your friends? How end up Sakaar?"
Sighed. "Long story. Can move freely?"
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